And since they were so close, there was no missing the flash of sadness in her eyes. “Yes, you are.” She kissed him then. A light, open-mouthed kiss that just stirred the animal all the more. “Because there isn’t a choice.”
Screw that. His lips took hers. Hard. Wild. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, tasted her deep and long because that was what he needed.
There was always a choice. He might not like the options but . . . there was always a choice.
His c**k shoved against the front of his jeans. Rage and lust fired his blood. She was all he could feel. All he could smell. Everything he needed right then.
His left hand snaked between them. He found the soft curve of her breast. The nipple was hard, already pebbled against his fingers, and the scent of her arousal deepened around him.
Aroused, yes, but . . . afraid?
His head shot up. No way to do slow and easy now. They were outside. Time was against them, but . . .
Fucking need her.
Because death pressed close. He could feel the cold bastard all around him.
“If you don’t want me,” he said deliberately, “say it now.” Because five more seconds . . .
She blinked. He didn’t see the fear in her eyes then. Did she know that his canines were growing? She had to see the beast’s glow in his eyes.
But her hands went to the waist of his jeans. She jerked open the snap, slid down the zipper. Hell, yes.
Right then, right there. Death could wait. He was taking life then.
Her fingers curled around his cock. Cool, silken hands that tightened as they pumped and worked his flesh. Long, sensual strokes from root to tip. Strokes that had his body tensing as the need built and the lust just burned hotter.
A snarl broke from his lips. Can’t . . . control . . .
He yanked open her jeans. Shoved them to the ground. Tore away her panties. She stumbled, trying to kick out of her jeans. He caught her, lifted her up high in his arms, and pushed her back against the wall.
He held her up easily. Her legs were parted, open to him, as they cradled his hips. No fear flickered in her eyes. That green seemed so deep. Then she whispered his name.
His c**k shoved into her, a long, driving thrust that left them both gasping. Her legs pressed against his hips, her sex clamped around him—tight, hot, wet and—
No condom.
Lucas froze.
Sarah’s breath heaved out and her nails dug into his shoulders. “Lucas.”
His teeth clenched. Thrust. The command was snarled from inside, but he didn’t move. “You . . . protected?”
A thin line appeared between her eyes. Her hips arched against him. “Wha—”
Thrust. “I’m clean.” A shifter’s natural healing ability protected him from just about every disease or illness out there.
Her delicate, inner muscles squeezed him. “Me too, don’t worry—”
And he’d only be able to get her pregnant if she were his mate. If she was . . .
He withdrew.
“I want you,” she whispered and broke his control.
Lucas drove balls-deep into her, again and again. His hands dug into her hips as he held her tighter, positioning her so that he could plunge deeper into her creamy warmth. Deeper, harder, and with every thrust, she welcomed him with her hot, wet sex, holding tight, so f**king tight.
The base of his spine taunted as the need mounted. Harder, deeper. The sound of her gasps filled his ears. Her body slickened more for him, the flesh plumping as she strained against him.
Harder, deeper. Not him this time . . . that was her whispered command.
And he gave the lady just what she wanted.
His mouth took hers, his tongue drove deep, and she came around his cock. A wild squeeze that had his own climax erupting. He came inside her on a long, shuddering wave of pleasure that racked his body.
When the haze cleared from his eyes, Lucas realized that he had Sarah pinned to the wall. Her body seemed limp against his, her hands now light on his shoulders.
Carefully, he pulled away from her, a slow glide of his flesh, but she gasped at that friction. His gaze flew to hers. He didn’t see pain or fear in her stare. Just a little flash of pleasure.
Sarah.
The lady was much stronger than she looked. She’d be able to take all that he could give her. He had plans to give her one hell of a lot.
He eased her legs down. When her knees trembled, he steadied her, and helped her to right her clothes. Her lips were dark, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glittering. Sexy enough to tempt the devil.
Want her again.
He yanked up his jeans. “I shouldn’t have . . .” Oh, f**k that. He’d done just what he wanted. Lucas cleared his throat. “You okay?”
A slow nod. “Better than okay.” She smiled at him, a ghost of a smile that lifted her lips and chased a few of the shadows from his eyes.
“Next time,” he told her quietly, his gaze raking her. “I taste every inch of you.” The words were a promise.
Her smile dimmed. “You sure there’ll be a next time?” She brushed by him, heading back toward the blood and the scent of death.
“Count on it.”
She glanced back at him. “You sound awful sure of yourself. Especially when we’ve got the devil pounding at the door.”
“Let him pound,” Lucas said. “I’m not afraid of the ass**le.” He looked forward to going fang-to-claw with the bastard.
Sarah turned away and hurried inside. “I wish I could say the same thing.” Her whisper drifted back on the wind.
His gaze slid to the left. To the rolling hills and the trees that bordered his land. So many places to hide. So many places to watch.
Lucas let a smile curve his lips as he stared at the hills. My mate. Hell, no, she wasn’t Rafe’s.
She wouldn’t let you touch her. Wouldn’t let anyone but me come close.
“Wrong again, ass**le,” he murmured and turned slowly toward the house. When he went to kill Rafe, Sarah’s scent would be on his body. And when Rafe died, Lucas would make sure he was the last sight the bastard ever saw.
The binoculars shattered in Rafe’s hands.
“We need to get out of here,” Hayden said, voice shaking with nerves and pain.
Rafe didn’t look at the coyote. They’d met at their rendezvous point, just like they’d planned. With one not-so-minor glitch. No Sarah.
He didn’t have Sarah because she was busy f**king Lucas Simone. He threw the shattered remains to the ground and jumped back inside the jeep.
Hayden groaned next to him. The scent of the coyote’s blood was growing stronger. The guy had barely dragged himself out of the battle. Guess the stories about the younger wolf were true. Jordan wouldn’t be as easy to kill as they’d thought. Good.